The Myth Behind Alcohol Happiness Author: Dr. Chencho Dorji Abstract By drawing on the socio-cultural, religious and traditional practices that encourage the use of alcohol in Bhutan, the author will examine the causes and factors that induce and maintain drinking habits among Bhutanese. Next, the impact of heavy drinking on Gross National Happiness will be examined. As an outcome of this study, some relevant strategies to minimize harm related to alcohol in Bhutan will be presented. Author’s background Dr. Chencho Dorji is a consultant psychiatrist and technical advisor to the National Mental Health Programme – Bhutan. He has written several articles on mental health in Bhutan including the article “Achieving Gross National Happiness (GNH) through Community-based Mental Health Services in Bhutan”, which he presented during the first seminar on GNH in Thimphu 2004. Contact address: J D W National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan Email address: [email protected] Telephone: +975 2 325201 (residence) +975 2 322496/7 (office) Fax: +975 2 325384 INTRODUCTION In the pursuit of happiness, human beings will do anything. Some opt for the long haul, while others prefer a shortcut. A common shortcut is alcohol, known to produce happiness or euphoria, even if momentarily. For this reasons, millions of people worldwide drink it repeatedly everyday. Scientific research has proved that alcohol releases dopamine in the brain, which is responsible for the pleasure sensation. Humankind has used alcohol in one form or another as early as the Stone Age. History is beset with anecdotes of heavy drinking: from Europe to Asia, the Americas to Africa, alcohol has played a significant role in shaping history, politics and religion. Indeed, it has been held responsible for the fall of empires, loss in battle and change of faith. Nonetheless, attempts to curb its production and use have been fiercely resisted resulting in its resurgence again and again. ALCOHOL USE IN BHUTAN Bhutan, a Vajrayana Buddhist kingdom nestled in the rugged Himalayas has numerous longstanding alcohol traditions. Alcohol use in the country dates back to the pre-Buddhist Bon religion, which used alcohol to appease deities. Likewise, Vajrayana Buddhism has adopted some of these practices. Alcohol and Buddhism In a popular Buddhist saying, during the era of the Buddha a monk was visited by a woman who wanted to seduce him. The woman threatened to commit suicide if the monk did not do at least one of three things she demanded: to have sex with her; to kill a goat for a party; or to drink the alcohol that she had brought for him. The monk thought very deeply and considered the options. He thought that losing his celibacy or killing an animal was a cardinal sin taught by the Buddha. On the other hand, not taking an action would result in the suicide of the woman. So, he decided to drink the alcohol because at that time Buddha has not taught anything specific about alcohol. But when he got drunk, he killed the goat and also had sex with the woman. This incident prompted the Buddha to prohibit drinking among his disciples saying that alcohol interferes with rational thinking and is the root cause of all evil. At the same time, references also have been made in many Buddhist scriptures about the use of alcohol during Buddhist religious rituals as an offering to deities as one of the five precious elements (duetsi). It was argued that alcohol per se is actually a precious element that is nurturing and healing - and only its abuse caused problems, with the abuser to be blamed and not the alcohol. However, according to one teaching, alcohol is a medicine if you use it judiciously; otherwise, it is a poison. It is said that enlightened monks and saints drank small amounts of alcohol to nourish their health and vitality, whereas ordinary people drank to their doom. According to the Dho, relating to the strict code of Buddhist practices of the Sangha, monks are forbidden to take any alcohol other then the duetsi (the amount should be less than a rain-dewdrop), while in the Ngha, relating to practices of accomplished tantric yogics and enlightened monks, alcohol is considered like any other food or nourishment. Buddhist literature makes many other references to alcohol as well. In an interesting debate on the merits and demerits of alcohol, it has been hailed as a drink of gods, kings and courtiers, warriors and performers, rich and ordinary people. Described as a tranquilizer, relaxant, and energizer, it also has been held responsible for confusing the senses, leading to negative deeds, unacceptable behaviour and health problems. The debate ends with a word of caution to use alcohol judiciously. Specifically in Bhutan, historical texts refer to offering alcohol as duetsi during religious ceremonies as early as the 7th century, during the time of Guru Padmasambhava, and in the 17th Century, during the era of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This tradition is followed even today. Alcohol offering is essentially made in two forms; one is rather more subtle, as duetsi during ritualistic religious rites while the other is more socialized, as Marchang, during ceremonies to evoke deities’ blessings when embarking on any new ventures. Duetsi is the sweetened Ara (home-distilled spirit) offered in a human skull cup; at the ceremony end, the duetsi, which is believed to have acquired divine blessings, is distributed to worshippers. Marchang ceremonies meanwhile are more commonplace, brief, less complex and usually performed by lay people. Freshly brewed wine from grains is offered symbolically to deities and important people such as members of the Royal Family during the Marchang ceremony to embark on any social function. Lastly, Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the “Divine Madman”, habitually used wine and women as part of his unconventional teaching. His style of combining humour, sex and drinking in his teachings appealed to ordinary people, who could easily identify with him. His teachings thus made a tremendous impact on the Bhutanese psyche. Even today, Drukpa Kuenley is a household name in many Bhutanese homes. Alcohol and social traditions In Bhutan, as we have seen, alcohol is not just a drink to elevate your mood or relax your body; rather it is an important food item and a social drink. No social stigma is attached to drinking in Bhutan; it is a part of everyday life in rural communities. The usual barriers and deterrents to using alcohol inherent in other societies are not as apparent in Bhutan. Little wonder that alcohol has become an essential ingredient in all aspects of Bhutanese culture. A Bhutanese is introduced to alcohol soon after his or her birth. Starting with the celebration of a newborn, a special homemade rice-based fermented drink called chhangkhoy is served to entertain well-wishers and to nourish and sedate the mother. Childbirth was a time of tremendous emotional and physical stress for Bhutanese women, many of whom likened it to facing death because of high maternal and infant mortality. The calming and relaxing effect of alcohol proved to be a blessing in the immediate aftermath of the birthing ordeal. The child ofcourse received alcohol in breast milk from mother. Until very recently also, it was not a taboo for Bhutanese children to drink at an early age, although a law has now been enacted to restrict alcohol use by children. Even so, it is not alcohol per se that is restricted but stronger alcohol, which children cannot physically tolerate. Many children in rural Bhutan still drink the fermented rice-based chhangkhoy or diluted wheat or maize wine as a beverage with meals. During social gatherings and celebrations, alcohol increases the sociability and enjoyment of many people. For different occasions alcohol is called different names: as tshogchang, zomchang and febchang, it is served to welcome guests; as lamchang, it sees off guests; as tochang, it is drunk with meals; as jhachang, tashichang and tendechang, it helps celebrate events such as marriages, promotions and acquiring new properties; as menchang and tasachang, it is taken to sick people; as zimchang, it induces sleep. The list goes on and on. Bhutanese archery is probably the only sport in the world today where drinking is allowed during the game. Alcohol is traditionally served during archery competitions in Bhutan. It is believed to enhance the confidence of the archer by releasing inhibitions thereby contributing to the enjoyment of the game. Finally, alcohol finds a significant place during mourning among many communities in Bhutan. Families, friends, and well-wishers bring alcohol to pay condolence to bereaved families after a death and together they share the grieving as well as the effects of alcohol. Factors responsible for the increased use of alcohol in Bhutan Before modern development started in Bhutan in the early 1960s, production and use of alcohol was confined to domestic use. This was limited by the availability of food grains to brew alcohol and the demands of society. The absence of mass production and trading in alcohol thus meant that only a limited quantity was available for consumption. Common homemade wine varieties - used traditionally as food beverages: bangchang, sinchang and tongba - have alcohol content of less than 5 percent. Ara, the distilled alcohol has higher alcohol content but has been used only for special purposes. With development, however, came many changes in Bhutan including changes in alcohol consumption patterns. The production (domestic and industrial), consumption and importing of alcohol in the country has increased significantly in recent years. While it is difficult to know the exact amount produced, indications are that production exceeds local consumption. Improvement in agriculture along with import of grains from outside has increased availability of food grains for brewing alcohol.